Rotary electrical switch with recessed contacts and sealing means



Aug. 3, 1965 s. L. RICHMAN ROTARY ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITH RECESSED CONTACTS AND SEALING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1963 fir/@0451, 69 55 fieafflfrilv 3, 1965 s. L. RICHMAN 3,198,895

ROTARY ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITH RECESSED CONTACTS AND SEALING MEANS Filed Feb. 6, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1965 s 1.. RICHMAN 3,198,895

ROTARY ELECTlICAL SWITCH WITH RECESSED CONTACTS AND SEALING MEANS Filed Feb. 6, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m- 7A- mm 4 VIIJIIAIIIVIAWZ 6 United States Patent 0 3,193,85 ROTARY ELECTRIQAL SWETCH WITH RE'CESSED QSNTACTS AND SEALHNG MEANS Samuel L. Richman, White Piains, N.Y., assiguor to Sonotone Corporation, Elmsford, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 255,580 12 Ciaims. (Ci. 260-44) This invention relates to an electrical switch assembly, and more particularly to a compact multi-pole switch of simplified design and operation.

Many different configurations of electrical switches are presently available. The type of switch to be used for a particular application is generally determined by such factors as: the electrical parameters to be transferred, available space for the installation of the device and practical cost considerations. Accordingly, my invention is particularly directed to an extremely compact multi-pole switch adapted to be included in such low current devices as hearing aids. Although described for such an application, it is naturally understood that the basic concept may be likewise employed in numerous other applications wherein minimum size and simplicity of construction are important factors.

Electrical switches generally include a cooperating pair of contacts for each circuit to be controlled. One of the cooperating pairs may be stationary and the other movable. The moving contacts may either be independently actuated into engagement with their respective contacts, or ganged for simultaneous operation. Such switches might typically include a plurality of cooperating pivoted members to provide the required actuation of the moving contact. Because of the numerous parts that are normally included in such switches of the multi-pole variety, it has been found somewhat undesirable to use such switches wherein extreme compactness is required.

Another method of actuating the movable contact is to provide a wiper arm which slides along the stationary contacts and in firm electrical engagement therewith. Such switches are generally constructed of a plurality of decks, one for each pole. The wiper arms of each pole are usually ganged to a central shaft which moves each of the wiper arms in unison along their respective decks of stationary contacts. While suitable for many applications, a multi-pole switch of such a variety would be of an excessive depth. That is, each of the individual decks are parallel disposed one behind the other, with an inter-deck spacing sufiicient to permit the movement of the wiper arm.

Another type of switch is the bridging contact variety wherein each energizing circuit includes a stationary pair of contacts to be bridged by a conductive element. The conductive element is then moved into engagement with the selected contacts. Such switches typically include a plurality of actuating members and conductive elements corresponding to the various switch positions. Consequently, such a multi-pole switch of the heretofore known constructions would be of an excessive size for such miniaturized equipment as the more recent types of hearing aids.

My invention avoids the disadvantages of the prior art devices by placing a continuous conductive element across the contacts of each pole and selectively distorting portions of the conductive element to bridge selected pole contacts. All the stationary contacts and their associated bridging elements are compactly arranged within a single deck. The actuating means are similarly fastened to a single member, which may be closely disposed with respect to the contact deck, thereby providing a compact assembly.

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Basically my invention includes a plurality of stationary contacts for each pole, said contacts being recessed within individual apertures of a common base member. A continuous conductive element is secured to the base above each group of stationary contacts. Each conductive element has a span corresponding to the aperture displacement of its respective group of stationary contacts. The conductive element is designed to permit a downward force above the individual apertures of a pair of stationary contacts to sufficiently distort the conductive element to enter the apertures and make good electrical contact with the stationary contacts recessed therein. To provide a compact structure, the groups of contacts are arcuately placed about the circumference of the base. The conductive elements have a sector span sufiicient to cover all the contacts of its group. The actuating means comprise similarly spaced spring biased wiper elements provided to ride along the opposite surfaces of the conductive elements. The downwardly biased wiper elements include individual members spaced to correspond to the arcuate separation of contacts to be bridged. The wiper elements are secured to a common wheel rotatively positioned about the central axis of the common base to selectively bridge the desired contacts via the distortable conductive elements.

As a further aspect of the instant invention the conductive elements are formed of a metallic strip laminated to an insulator strip, the insulator strip portion being in engagement with the spring actuators and the metallic strip serving as the bridging contact member. Hence, there is no need to electrically isolate the spring elements which actuate the various poles. Also, since the wiper arm serves only as a mechanical actuator, it does not require any electrical connections thereto; all the necessary electrical connections may be simply and easily made to the individual stationary contacts contained within the common base structure. Further, the make-and-break contact members are preferably sealed, to provide protection from dust or other foreign particles.

It is thus seen that the basic concept of my invention resides in the recessed placement of the stationary contacts for a multi-pole switch within a single deck, each group of contacts being spanned by a continuous conductive element, and selectively distorting portions of the conductive element to bridge selected ones of the recessed stationary contacts. Such a switch is of a compact and simplified design and has demonstrated reliable operation.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide a compact electrical switch of a simplified design.

Another object of this invention is to provide a multipole bridging contact switch wherein all of the stationary contacts are disposed within a single deck.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electrical switch of simplified design wherein the make-andbreak contacts are in a dust-proof seal arrangement.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an electrical switch wherein a single conductive element spans a group of stationary contacts recessed within a common base, and an actuating means is adjustably positioned to distort selected portions of the conductive element to provide a bridged conductive path between selected ones of the recessed stationary contacts.

An additional object of this invention is to provide such an electrical switch wherein the actuating means includes a plurality of spring biased elements fastened to a manually adjustable member and biased into slidable engagement along the conductive elements.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such a single deck multi-pole electrical switch, wherein each of the poles includes a group of stationary contacts symmetrically disposed about the circumference of a disc- 3 like base, and the actuating spring elements are similarly disposed about a disc-like member rotatively supported about the common base.

These as well as other objects of the instant invention will readily become apparent after reading the following descriptions of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred illustrative embodiment of a three-pole double throw switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view along the principal diameter of such a switch showing the engagement of the conductive element and one of the recessed stationary contacts.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view showing the contact relationship.

FIGURE 4 is a simplified plan view shown in the OFF position.

FIGURE 4a is an electrical schematic illustrating the contact engagement of the switch shown in FIGURE 4.

FIGURES 5 and 5a correspond to FIGURES 4 and 4a, but show the switch in one of its engaged positions.

FIGURES 6 and 6a similarly correspond to FIGURES 4 and 4a, but show the switch in other engaged positions.

FIGURES 7 and 7a are plan and cross-sectional views respectively of the base assembly of the switch shown in FIGURES 1-6.

FIGURES 8 and 8a are plan and side elevation views respectively of the actuating Wheel.

FIGURES 9 and 9a are plan and side elevation views 9 respectively of the dual element actuating springs.

Referring to the figures and particularly FIGURES 13, switch 10 is comprised of an insulated base member 12 preferably shown of a general disc-like configuration. A plurality of apertures 14 are symmetrically disposed about the circumference of base 12 for the insertion of individual stationary contacts 16. The upper surface 13 of each of the contacts is recessed within aperture 14 below upper surface of base 12. Base 12 is formed of a material to provide electrical isolation between the contacts 16, and yielding the necessary structural rigidity, such as a glass epoxy or fibre glass. Contacts 16 may typically be formed of coin silver and include aperture 22. Aperture 22 provides a socket to permit soldering of connection leads to the individual contacts 16. Also, the placement of aperture 22 as shown permits the entry of a spinning tool during switch fabrication to facilitate the bending over of shouldered portion 24 to secure contact 16 to the base 12.

Contacts 16 are disposed in separable groups generally indicated by brackets A, B, C, each of such groups of stationary contacts corresponding to an individual pole of the overall switching device. Switch 10 is illustratively shown as including three such groups of contacts symmetrically disposed about base member 12. The centers of adjacent contacts 16 of each group (such as A A are separated and the contacts have appropriate diameters (D) to provide a sufficient gap in the base element 12 between such contacts for electrical insulation thereof, as best shown in FIGURE 7. Each group of three contacts therefore arcuately spans a center-to-center 60 portion of the base circumference. Adjacent groups are separated by a similar 60 span, therefore providing for three groups (A, B, C) of three contacts each, symmetrically disposed about the circumference of the base 12.

Individual conductive elements 30 span each group of contacts and are of a sufiicient arcuate extent to completely cover the apertures 14 of their individual respective groups of contacts. Conductive elements 30 are afiixed to upper surface 20 of base 12 as by an appropriate bonding adhesive. Conductive elements 30 sufficiently extend into the base area between adjacent groups of stationary contacts, to thereby provide a smooth path for the actuating means. A suflicient separation, such as d (FIG- URE 3) is provided between adjacent elements 30 to maintain electrical isolation between the conductive portions. Elements 30 are preferably formed of a conductive str1p of material 32 laminated to a flexible insulator strip 34, such as Teflon. Conductive element 39 exhibits sufficient flexibility such that a concentrated downward force ex erted at its upper surface in alignment with adjacent apertures 14 will sufliciently distort the conductive strip 32 into the aperture recess to make firm electrical engagement with stationary contact 16.

The actuation of switch 10 is provided by biased spring elements 40, which are positioned to ride along the circumferentially disposed conductive elements 38. Elements 4-6 are secured to wheel carrier 46. Inasmuch as the individual actuating elements 40 need not be electrically isolated from each other, they may all be secured, as by rivets 52, in cooperating apertures 54, 54 to a metal wheel 46, therefore providing an easily constructed and rigid actuating member. Wheel carrier 46 is secured to pivot post 48 as by retainer clip 56 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of switch 10. Knurled portions 58 are provided about the periphery of wheel 46 to facilitate manual rotation. Spring elements 40 are separated in increments, such that each spring member engages one of the conductive elements 30 associated with an individual group of stationary contacts (A, B, C). Spring elements 4!) contain dual spring actuators 42 which include ball tips 44 which ride along the conductive elements 30. Ball tips 44 are circumferentially disposed about wheel 46 to correspond with the displacement of apertures 14 within base 12, and have an appropriate tip dimension and spring biasing force to effect distortion of the conductive strip 30 into the recess apertures 14 against contact 16, as shown in FIGURE 2. The biased springs 40 thereby unload to force the bridge gap engagement of contacts In, while still retaining a suflicient biasing force to maintain firm engagement of the make-and-break member 16 and the distored portion of 30. Hence, the unloading of the biasing springs is to be understood as being only a partial unloading, with suitable electrical contact pressures still being maintained. The individual elements 42 are arcuately separated a distance corresponding to the stationary contacts to be bridged, and are illustratively shown as having a 30 separation to effect engagement of adjacent contacts, as shown by depressions 3tE-A and 3tlA of FIGURE 1.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 4, 4a, 5, 5a and 6, 6a, which illustrate the three positions of a three-pole double throw switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention. The common contact of the three poles are designated as A B and C respectively; one of the throw positions is represented as A B and C; respectively; and the other throw position is represented as A B and C respectively. A suitable stop (not shown) may be included to restrict the movement of the switch to the positions shown in FIGURES 4-6.

FIGURES 4 and 4a show the switch in the OFF position wherein one of the spring elements 42 of each individual spring member 40 is positioned in vertical alignment with only one of the stationary contacts 16 of each group. Thus, the respective spring elements 42 will be in engagement with only one of the stationary contacts of each group, with the other element being disposed in non-registry with the other contacts bridged by its associated conductive element 30.

FIGURES 5 and 5:: show one of the ON positions of the switch wherein wheel 46 has been moved clockwise 30 about axis 50, thereby positioning the individual elements 42 of each actuating member 49 above contacts A A B B and C C respectively. Thus, the indiv dual conductive elements 30 will be urged by spring bias members 42 into the apertures 14 containing these stationary contacts, thereby providing a bridge path between the aforementioned contacts, as schematicall shown in FIGURE 5a.

FIGURES 6 and 6a illustrate the other ON position of switch 10 wherein wheel 46 has been rotated a further about axis 50, thereby bringing individual spring biased elements in alignment with contacts A A B B and C C respectively. Aligned portions of conductive element 30 are distorted, as set forth above, to bridge these contacts, as schematically shown in FIGURE 6a.

The illustrative displacement of the groups of stationary contacts 16 and cooperating conductive elements 3% and actuating elements 41 is only one of the numerous switch arrangements which may be employed pursuant to the basic teachings of my invention. The number of groups of such elements and individual contacts within each group may be varied to correspond to the requirements of a particular application. Accordingly, it is understood that the typical dimensions given below of a commercial three-pole double throw switch is only one form of my invention, and is not included for purposes of limiting the scope of my invention.

The complete switch is contained within a unitary assembly, 0.5 in diameter, and. approximately 0.1 high, the maximum diameter corresponding to the knurled operating wheel.

The contact carrying base has an overall diameter of .424 and a thickness of .032. The stationary contacts containing apertures have a diameter of .062" and are symmetrically displaced about a circle having a radius of .152".

The upper surface of the stationary contacts is recessed .005 within the aperture, thereby necessitating a very slight distortion of the conductive element to effect the reouired bridging engagement of the recessed contacts.

it is thus seen that my invention provides an extremely compact multi-pole switch having a minimum of parts. Such a switch has found particular applicability in miniaturized equipment, such as hearing aids having an externally accessible switch adjustment.

In the foregoing this invention has been described in conjunction with a preferred illustrative embodiment. Since many variations and modifications will now, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art, i prefer therefore not to be confined by the specific disclosure contained herein, but only by the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An electrical switch comprising in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts; said stationary contacts operatively positioned to form a group; said stationary contacts mounted to an insulator means electrically iso- H stationary contacts of said group; a

'lating the individual continuous conductive element fixedly mounted to said insulator means in overlying relationship with respect to said group of stationary contacts; said continuous conductive element having spaced portions thereof overlying selected ones of said stationary contacts, and normally space-separated therefrom, while in registry therewith; actuating means mounted to said insulator means and adjustably positioned to simultaneously distont a selected plurality of said spaced portions of said conductive element towards the selected ones of said stationary contacts in registry therewith; said distorted portions making good electrical contact with said selected ones of said stationary contacts, whereby said distorted conductive element provides a conductive path between said selected ones of said stationary con-tacts.

2. An electrical switch comprising in combination, a plurality of stationary contact-s; said stationary contacts operatively positioned to form a group; said stationary contacts mounted to an insulator means electrically isolating the individual stationary contacts of said group; a continuous conductive element fixedly mounted to said insulator means in overlying relationship with respect to said group of stationary contacts; said continuous conduotive element having spaced portions thereof overlying selected ones of said stationary contacts, and normally space-separated therefrom, while in registry therewith; actuating means mounted to said insulator means and adjustably positioned to simultaneously distort a selected plurality of said spaced portions of said conductive element towards the selected ones of said stationary contacts in registry therewith; said distorted portions making good electrical contact with said selected ones of said stationary contacts, whereby said distorted conductive element provides a conductive path between said selected ones of said stationary contacts, said stationary contacts being recessed within apertures; said conductive element spanning the apertures corresponding to its respective group of stationary contacts and sealing said apertures; said actuating means simultaneously urging said distorted portions into a selected plurality of said apertures, said distorted portions entering said selected apertures a sufficient distance to establish firm engagement between said conductive element and said selected ones of said stationary contacts.

3. An electrical switch comprising in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts; said stationary contacts operatively positioned to form a group; said stationary contacts mounted to an insulator means electrically isolating the individual stationary contacts of said group; a continuous conductive element fixedly mounted to said insulator means in overlying relationship with respect to said group of stationary contacts; said continuous conductive element having spaced portions thereof overlying selected ones of said stationary contacts, and normally space-separated therefrom, While in registry therewith; actuating means mounted to said insulator means and adjustably positioned to simultaneously distort a selected plurality of said spaced portions of said conductive element towards the selected ones of said stationary contacts in registry therewith; said distorted portions making good electrical contact with said selected ones of said stationary contacts, whereby said distorted conductive element provides a conductive path between said selected ones of said stationary contacts, said stationary contacts being recessed within apertures; said conductive element spanning the apertures corresponding to its respective group of stationary contacts; said actuating means simultaneously urging said distorted portions into a selected plurality of said apertures, said distorted portions entering said selected apertures a sufiicient distance to estabhsh firm engagement between said conductive element and said selected ones of said stationary contacts, a common base containing said recessed apertures; said recessed pertures circumferentially disposed about a common axis, said conductive element having an arcuate span correspending to the aperture displacement of its respective group of stationary contacts.

An electrical switch comprising in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts; said stationary contacts operatively positioned to form a group; said stationary contacts mounted to an insulator means electrically isolating the individual stationary contacts of said group; a continuous conductive element fixedly mounted to said insulator means in overlying relationship with respect to said group of stationary contacts; said continuous conductive element having spaced portions thereof overlying selected ones of said stationary contacts, and normally space-separated therefrom, while in registry therewith; actuating means mounted to said insulator means and adustably positioned to simultaneously distort a selected plurality of said spaced portions of said conductive element towards the selected ones of said stationary contacts in registry therewith; said distorted portions making good electrical contact with said selected ones of said stationary contacts, whereby said distorted conductive element provides a conductive path between said selected ones of said stationary contacts, said stationary contacts being recessed within apertures; said conductive element spanning the apertures corresponding to its respective group of stationary contacts; said actuating means simultaneously iur-ging said distorted portions into a selected plurality of said apertures, said distorted portions entering said selected apertures a sufiioient distance to establish .a firm engagement between said conductive element and said selected ones of said stationary contacts, said actuating means comprising a first operating member; said first operating member carrying a plurality of second operating members, means biasing said second operating members against separable portions of said conductive element; manual adjust means selectively positioning said first operating member to effect engagement of said second operating members and said selected portions of said conductive element, a common base containing said recessed apertures, said recessed apertures circumferentially disposed about a common axis, said conductive element having an arcuate span corresponding to the aperture displacement of its respective group of stationary contacts; said first operating member consisting of a disc rotatively supported about said common axis; said second operating members consisting of spring elements; adjacent ones of said spring elements arcuately separated a distance corresponding to the separation of said selected ones of said recessed apertures.

5. An electrical switch comprising in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts; said stationary contacts operatively positioned to form a group; said stationary contacts mounted to an insulator means electrically isolating the individual stationary contacts of said group; a continuous conductive element positioned adjacent said group of stationary contacts; actuating means adjustably positioned to distort selected portions of said conductive element; said distorted portions making good electrical contact with selected ones of said stationary contacts, whereby said conductive element provides a conductive path between said selected ones of said stationary contacts, said stationary contacts being recessed within apertures; said conductive element spanning the apertures corresponding to its respective group of stationary contacts; said actuating means urging said distorted portions into selected apertures, said distorted portions entering said selected apertures a sufiicient distance to establish firm engagement between said conductive element and said selected ones of said stationary contacts, said actuating means comprising a first operating member; said first operating member carrying a plurality of second operating members, means biasing said second operating members against separable portions of said conductive element; manual adjust means selectively positioning said first operating member to elfect engagement of said second operating members and said selected portions of said conductive element, said conductive element being formed of a conductive strip laminated to an insulated strip; said conductive element disposed intermediate said stationary contacts and said actuating means; said manual adjust means sliding said second operating members along said insulated strip; the positioning of said second operating member in alignment with a selected aperture unloading said biasing means; said biasing means when unloaded, sufficiently distorting said conductive element to maintain contact between said conductive strip and the stationary contact within said selected aperture.

6. An electrical switch comprising in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts; said stationary contacts operatively positioned to form a plurality of groups; said stationary contacts mounted to an insulator means electrical-1y isolating the individual stationary contacts of each of said groups; a continuous conductive element fixedly mounted to said insulator means in overlying relationship with respect to each of said groups of stationary contacts; said continuous conductive element having spaced portions thereof overlying selected ones of said stationary contacts, and normally space-separated therefrom, while in registry therewith; actuating means mounted to said insulator means and adjustably positioned to simultaneo ously distort a selected plurality of said spaced portions of each of said conductive elements towards the selected ones of said stationary contacts in registry therewith, said distorted portions making good electrical contact with said selected ones of said stationary contacts; whereby said distorted conductive elements provide a conductive path between said selected ones of said stationary contacts; all of said stationary contacts being disposed in a single plane.

'7. An electrical switch comprising in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts; said stationary contacts operatively positioned to form a plurality of groups; said stationary contacts mounted to an insulator means electrically isolating the individual stationary contacts of each of said groups; a continuous conductive element fixedly mounted to said insulator means in overlying relationship with respect to each of said groups of stationary contacts; said continuous conductive element having spaced portions thereof overlying selected ones of said stationary contacts, and normally space-separated therefrom, while in registry therewith; actuating means mounted to said insulator means and adjustably positioned to simultaneously distort a selected plurality of said spaced portions of each of said conductive elements towards the selected ones of said stationary contacts in registry therewith, said distorted portions making good electrical contact with said selected ones of said stationary contacts; whereby said distorted conductive elements provide a conductive path between said selected ones of said stationary contacts; all of said stationary contacts being disposed in a single plane; said stationary contacts being recessed within apertures; each of said conductive elements spanning the apertures corresponding to its respective group of stationary contacts; said actuating means simultaneously urging said distorted portions into a selected plurality of said apertures, said distorted portions entering said selected apertures a sutiicient distance to establish firm engagement between said conductive element and said selected ones of said stationary contacts.

8. An electrical switch comprising in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts; said stationary contacts operatively positioned to form a plurality of groups; said stationary contacts mounted to an insulator means electrically isolating the individual stationary contacts of each of said groups; a continuous conductive element fixedly mounted to said insulator means in overlying relationship with respect to each of said groups of stationary contacts; said continuous conductive element having spaced portions thereof overlying selected ones of said stationary contacts, and normally space-separated therefrom, while in registry therewith; actuating means mounted to said insulator means and adjusta-bly positioned to simultaneously distort a selected plurality of said spaced portions of each of said conductive elements towards the selected ones of said stationary contacts in registry therewith, said distorted portions making good electrical contact with said selected ones of said stationary contacts; whereby distorted said conductive elements provide a conductive path etween said selected ones of said stationary contacts; all of said stationary contacts being disposed in a single plane; said stationary contacts being recessed within apertures; each of said conductive elements spanning the apertures corresponding to its respective group of stationary contacts; said actuating means simultaneously urging said distorted portions into a selected plurality of said apertures, said distorted portions entering said selected apertures a sufiicient distance to establish firm engagement between said conductive element and said selected ones of said stationary contacts, said insulator means being a common base containing said recessed apertures, said recessed apertures circumferentially disposed about a common axis, each of said conductive elements having an arcuate span corresponding to the aperture displacement of its respective group of stationary contacts.

9. An electrical switch comprising in combination, a

plurality of stationary contacts; said stationary contacts operatively positioned to form a plurality of groups; said stationary contacts mounted to an insulator means electrically isolating the individual stationary contacts of each of said groups; a continuous conductive element fixedly mounted to said insulator means in overlying relationship with respect to each of said groups of stationary contacts; said continuous conductive element having spaced portions thereof overlying selected ones of said stationary contacts, and normally space-separated therefrom, while in registry therewith; actuating means mounted to said insulator means and adjustably positioned to simultaneously distort a selected plurality of said spaced portions of each of said conductive elements towards the selected ones of said stationary contacts in registry therewith, said distorted portions making good electrical contact with said selected ones of said stationary contacts; whereby said distorted conductive elements provide a conductive path between said selected ones of said station-ary contacts; all of said stationary contacts being disposed in a single plane, said stationary contacts being recessed Within apertures; each of said conductive elements spanning the apertures corresponding to its respective group of stationary contacts; said actuating means simultaneous'ly urging said distorted portions into a selected plurality of said apertures, said distorted portions entering said selected apertures a suflicient distance to establish firm engagement between said conductive element and said selected ones of said stationary contacts, said actuating means comprising a first operating member; said first operating member carrying a plurality of second operating members for each of said groups, means biasing said operating members against separable portions of said conductive element; manual adjust means selectively positioning said first operating member to effect engagement of said second operating members and said selected portions of said conductive element; said insulator means being a common base containing said recessed apertures, said recessed apertures circum ferentially disposed about a common axis, each of said conductive elements having an arcuate span corresponding to the aperture displacement of its respective group of stationary contacts; said first operating member consisting of a disc rotative'ly supported about said common axis, said second operating members consisting of spring elements; adjacent ones of said spring elements arcuately separated a distance corresponding .to the separates of said selected ones of said recessed apertures; groups of said spring elements arcuately separated a distance corresponding to the separation between adjacent groups of said stationary contacts.

10. A multi-pole switch comprising a plurality of stationary contacts recessed within a common base; said contacts forming a plurality of groups, at least three in number; an individual conductive element fixedly mounted to said common base in overlying relationship with respect to and spanning each of said groups; said conductive elements being disposed intermediate said base and an actuating means; said actuating means including operating members mounted to said base and positioned to slide along said conductive element; means biasing said operating member towards said base; the positioning of said operating members in alignment with selected apertures unloading said biasing means; said biasing means,

it) when unloaded, distorting corresponding portions of said conductive element to establish good electrical contact with the stationary contacts contained within said selected apertures.

11. A multi-pole switch comprising a plurality of stationary contacts recessed within a common base; said contacts forming a plurality of groups, at least three in number; an individual conductive element fixedly mounted to said common base in overlying relationship with respect to and spanning each of said groups; said conductive elements being disposed intermediate said base and an actuating means; said actuating means including operating members mounted to said base and positioned to slide along said conductive element; means biasing said operating member towards said base; the positioning of said operating members in alignment with selected apertures unloading said biasing means; said biasing means, when unloaded, distorting corresponding portions of said conductive element to establish good electrical contact with the stationary contacts contained within said selected apertures; said recessed apertures circumferentially disposed about a common axis; each of said conductive elements having an arcuate span corresponding to the aperture displacement of its respective group of stationary contacts; said operating members carried by a disc rotatively supported about said common axis; said operating members consisting of spring elements arcuately separated a distance corresponding to the separation of said selected apertures; groups of said spring elements arcuately separated a distance corresponding to the separation between adjacent groups of said contacts.

12. A multi-pole switch comprising a first and second planad member, each of a general disc-like configuration; means for rotatively supporting said first planar member about said second planar member, in a generally parallel relationship; a plurality of arcuate sections of said second planar member containing electrically isolated groups of stationary contacts, each of said stationary contacts recessed within an aperture; conductive means fixedly mounted to said second planar member and spanning the arcuate extent of each of said groups of stationary contacts; actuating means secured to said first planar memher and extending towards said second planar member; means biasing said actuating means in firm engagement against said conductive means; the rotation of said first member about said second member sliding said actuating means along said conductive means; said actuating means selectively distorting a plurality of space separated portions of said conductive means into a corresponding plurality of apertures, said conductive means providing an electrical path between the stationary contacts contained within said last mentioned plurality of apertures.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,103,873 12/37 Severin et al 20011 X 2,501,431 3/50 Ausman et al. 200-11 2,847,523 8/58 Van Amelsfort 200-11 2,881,273 4/59 Shaller 200166 X 2,888,528 5/59 Wales 200l66 X 3,024,334 3/62 Rhodes 20011 X BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A PLURALITY OF STATIONARY CONTACTS; SAID STATIONARY CONTACTS OPERATIVELY POSITIONED TO FORM A GROUP; SAID STATIONARY CONTACTS MOUNTED TO AN INSULATOR MEANS ELECTRICALLY ISOLATING THE INDIVIDUAL STATIONARY CONTACTS OF SAID GROUP; A CONTINUOUS CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT FIXEDLY MOUNTED TO SAID INSULATOR MEANS IN OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID GROUP OF STATIONARY CONTACTS; SAID CONTINUOUS CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT HAVING SPACED PORTIONS THEREOF OVERLYING SELECTED ONES OF SAID STATIONARY CONTACTS, AND NORMALLY SPACE-SEPARATED THEREFROM, WHILE IN REGISTRY THEREWITH; ACTUATING MEANS MOUNTED TO SAID INSULATOR MEANS AND ADJUSTABLY POSITIONED TO SIMULTANEOUSLY DISTORT A SELECTED PLURALITY OF SAID SPACED PORTIONS OF SAID CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT TOWARDS THE SELECTED ONES OF SAID STATIONARY CONTACTS IN REGISTRY THEREWITH; SAID DISTORTED PORTIONS MAKING GOOD ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH SAID SELECTED ONES OF SAID STATIONARY CONTACTS, WHEREBY SAID DISTORTED CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT PROVIDES A CONDUCTIVE PATH BETWEEN SAID SELECTED ONES OF SAID STATIONARY CONTACTS. 